Bato unlikely to support ABS-CBN reopening if issues not satisfactorily addressed

Presidential aspirant Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is imposing some conditions before he can support the reopening of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN.

Dela Rosa, in an interview over ANC’s Headstart, wanted the Lopez-owned network to properly address the issues hurled against it before voicing his support for the network’s return to air. He made the comment after admitting the granting broadcast franchise is a function of Congress, not the president.

ABS-CBN shut down its free television and radio stations last year after failing to get its franchise renewed in the House of Representatives. The shutdown came after drawing President Duterte’s ire over issues such as dispute on advertisement payment, alleged irregular government condonation of its debts, and alleged unfair reporting.

“It’s too early to tell. kung makalusot yan sa both houses of the Congress at nakita ko na na-address properly and exhaustively and satisfactorily lahat ng issues na binabato sa ABS-CBN, bakit hindi ko pipirmahan,” Dela Rosa told Headstart host Karen Davila.

“Pipirmahan ko ‘yan basta satisfied ako sa lahat ng pag-deliberate sa issues. Masagot ‘yung lahat ng issues, bakit di ko pipirmahan? Pero kung hindi satisfactorily ma-address lahat ng issues, then baka magda-dalawang-isip ako,” he said.

Dela Rosa, a former police chief, is the standard bearer of the PDP-Laban party wing backed by President Duterte. He earlier advised ABS-CBN workers who lost their jobs due to the shutdown to find alternative employment.

In July 2020, a House panel denied the franchise application of ABS-CBN, saying the applicant was “seen as undeserving of the grant of a legislative franchise.”

Last February, Duterte said he would not allow the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant ABS-CBN permit even though it gets its franchise renewed, saying the firm must set its alleged tax obligations to government.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)